QUETTA, Nov 25: The Baloch Republican Party and National Party have condemned what they termed a “fresh military operation” launched in Dera Bugti and alleged that innocent people have been killed and dozens of men and women have been arrested.

Addressing a news conference on Tuesday, BRP information secretary Jalil Reki alleged that troops had launched a new operation three days ago in different areas of Dera Bugti.

He claimed that the Imam of a mosque, his brother and two other innocent people had been killed on Monday.

Mr Reki said that common people were being targeted and dozens of old men, women and children were taken into custody during a search operation. They also alleged that standing crops had been torched and livestock taken away.

He announced that the BRP led by Bramdagh Bugti would continue the struggle for protecting the coasts and resources of Balochistan.

Meanwhile, leaders and activists of National Party gathered outside the press club on Monday to protest against the fresh military operation.

They took out a procession from the Shara-i-Iqbal that passed through Bacha Khan chowk and Manan chowk.

Moheem Khan Baloch, Rehmat Baloch and Khaliq Baloch addressed the rally criticising the government for pursuing the Balochistan policy of the previous government.

They said that vested interests were sabotaging efforts to resolve the issue through negotiations.

According to them, the operation was launched in Dera Bugti at the time the chief minister was handing over reinstatement letters to 59 employees of the Pakistan Petroleum Ltd who had been sacked by the previous government.

They said that intelligence agencies, which were against ending the military operation in Dera Bugti and Kohlu, were the main hurdle in resolving the issue through dialogue.

They demanded immediate halt to the operation and release of political detainees in order to restore normality in the province.